A Controller's Destiny (Unit Matched #3) by Mary Smith Read Free Book Online

try to regulate my racing heart. Of course, this is going to happen right now. I close my eyes and think about my life. My Unit life.
    I was eight when my mother told me of my life. I had been Paired with Xaveria and Amaya since birth. It was rare to be Paired that early, but the King and Queen knew who I was the moment I was born. The mark suddenly appeared a few hours after my birth. It’s a vine that is wrapped around my thigh. No one has ever seen it, except those who knew the secret.
    My mother explained to me first that I was special and Unit would rejoice me in my death.
    Death.
    It’s strange to be twenty and know that, for over decades, I have been waiting for this. I’m newly Matched, have a career, and I thought that we would have more time before Zane came for me.
    “Shorty, are you ready?”
    I pop my eyes open to see my Matched standing in front of me. He is in a pair of loose jeans and a gray sweatshirt. My thought quickly moves life after my death.
    Who will take my place in Graham’s life?
    Will he treat her as he does me?
    Graham is sweet to me. Even though I had hoped that there would be more between us, I don’t think there will be time before my death.
    “Yes, let’s go.”
    A few people nod their heads at us as we walk into the Diner, but I hear Amaya yell my name from the corner. I see Oliver with her and he is staring at me. I can see it written all over his face.
    “Hey girl. Where have you been all week?” Amaya glares at me.
    “Busy with work. How’s school?” I deflect attention from me.
    “It’s fine. I think I may have overloaded myself this time, but I want to graduate in May.”
    My eyes shift to Oliver and he hasn’t taken his eyes off me. I need to get him to stop. I’d practiced for years shutting everyone’s thoughts out. It’s not fair to listen to them.
    I connect with his green eyes.
    Oliver, stop staring at me. You’re going to make Graham suspicious.
    Oliver jumps.
    “O, you okay?” Graham asks.
    “Leg cramp,” Oliver begins to rub his leg as he lies.
    It’s true, then. It is you.
    Stop it, Oliver. Stop it now. The King gave you a command, you have to obey it. I shift my eyes away from him and shut off my mind.
    “Gia, did you hear me?”
    I shake my head. “Sorry, Amaya, what did you say?”
    “I was asking how’s the office?”
    “Looks great.” I smile at her as if there is nothing wrong in the world.
    Graham and I place our order and I see Xaviera and Thaddeus walking into the Diner.
    “Looks like this is the place to be tonight.” Xaviera jokes, taking a seat by Amaya. Xaviera gives me a quick hug. “I’ve missed you. It seems like I haven’t seen you in forever.”
    “Have you needed me?” I worry that I might have missed something.
    “Well, no, but I miss my best friend.” She bumps my shoulder.
    Our food comes and Xaviera and Thaddeus order theirs.
    “I think we’re about to head out.” Oliver stands. Amaya gazes up at him like he’s lost his mind, but she doesn’t argue.
    “Yeah, see you all later,” she says, unsure why they are leaving.
    I’m thankful that Oliver leaves because I know that he wants to ask a thousand questions. However, I can’t deal with that right now. I need to focus on other things, such as Graham and lesson plans. I’m not ready to deal with Zane even though I know I need to.
    “Gia, Dad said that the note is probably a prank. Did he tell you?” Xaviera asks.
    “Yes,” I lied to her. “I saw him and the Queen today, actually.”
    “You shouldn’t worry.” She squeezes my hand.
    I give her my fake smile, but deep down, I know that I do worry about it. I worry every day. I pretend that I don’t. I pretend that the life sentence ahead of me isn’t rushing at me faster than I’d ever thought it would.
    “Are you excited about New Orleans?” Again, I deflect the attention from me. I know that is an easy deflection since Xaviera loves to travel.
    She goes on and on about everything that she wants to